Is Zara Anand the Leading Indian After Day 1 at the Queen Sirikit Cup?
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Synopsis
Zara Anand shines as the leading Indian golfer at the Queen Sirikit Cup in Japan, showcasing her talent with a solid performance. The competition heats up as Japan leads the pack, aiming for victory. Discover how the Indian team fares in this prestigious tournament!
Key Takeaways
- Zara Anand is the top Indian golfer after Day 1.
- The Indian team is placed Tied-7th with a total score of 5-over 149.
- Japan leads the tournament with a score of six-under 138.
- Heena Kang and Mannat Brar are also competing for India.
- Several pre-event favorites struggled in their performances.
Miyazaki, May 13 (NationPress) Zara Anand emerged as the top Indian contender, sharing the Tied-12th position following the initial round of the Queen Sirikit Cup held in Japan. The talented amateur golfer recorded a score of 1-over 73, achieving three birdies alongside four bogeys during her round. Notably, two of the bogeys occurred on the 14th and 18th holes.
Among the other Indian participants in this esteemed tournament, Heena Kang finished with a score of 76, placing her at T-21, while Mannat Brar, experiencing a challenging day, ended up at T-25 with a score of 77. Heena's performance included two birdies, four bogeys, and a double bogey, while Mannat managed two birdies but faced five bogeys and a double bogey.
As a team, the Indian contingent is currently positioned in a tie for seventh place, with the two best individual scores contributing to a total of 5-over 149.
The host nation, Japan, initiated their campaign with optimism, aiming to overcome a historical home disadvantage in the Queen Sirikit Cup. They made significant progress with impressive three-under-par 69s from Aira Nagasawa and Anna Iwanaga, taking the lead after the first round of this 45th edition of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Ladies Golf Team Championship.
With an aggregate score of six-under 138, the Japanese team heads into the second round on Wednesday with a narrow one-stroke advantage over defending champions Korea.
Trailing behind them is Thailand in third place with a score of 143. They are closely followed by China at 146, and both Hong Kong and Singapore at 147. India and Vietnam are tied at 149, with Australia and Indonesia at 150, while Chinese Taipei and Malaysia both sit at 151, and the Philippines at 158.
In the individual rankings, Nagasawa and Iwanaga share the leaderboard's summit with Korean Oh Soo-min, who is currently 10th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and is vying to reclaim the low individual award she won in New Zealand last year.
Several pre-event favorites struggled with their performances. Notably, Zhou Shiyuan and Xu Ying, both of whom have victories on the China LPGA Tour, carded scores of 75, while Thai Achiraya Sriwong and Japan’s Mamika Shinchi both recorded 76s, ranking within the top-50 in the WAGR.
Australian Sarah Hammett, last year's individual runner-up, finished with an 83, which included a troublesome triple-bogey eight at the par-five 16th hole.
Point of View
We recognize the significance of Zara Anand's performance in the Queen Sirikit Cup. Her skills and resilience embody the spirit of Indian golf, showcasing the potential of our amateur players on an international platform. It is essential for us to support and celebrate these athletes who are making their mark in the world of sports.
NationPress
26/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Queen Sirikit Cup?
The Queen Sirikit Cup is a prestigious amateur golf tournament held annually, featuring teams from various countries across the Asia-Pacific region.
Where is the Queen Sirikit Cup being held this year?
This year's Queen Sirikit Cup is taking place in Miyazaki, Japan.
How did Zara Anand perform in the first round?
Zara Anand finished Tied-12th with a score of 1-over 73, including three birdies and four bogeys.
Who are the other Indian players in the tournament?
Alongside Zara Anand, Heena Kang and Mannat Brar are also representing India in the tournament.
Which team is currently leading the tournament?
The host nation, Japan, is currently leading the tournament with a score of six-under 138.
